Easter is the perfect time to bring a splash of color and sweetness to your table, and this Easter Poke Cake delivers on both fronts beautifully. This delightful dessert features a moist vanilla cake base with vibrant, colorful gelatin that seeps through “pokes” in the cake, creating a marbled rainbow effect that’s sure to impress your holiday guests.
What makes this Easter Poke Cake special is not just its festive appearance, but also how simple it is to create. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll have a show-stopping dessert that captures the joyful spirit of spring and Easter celebrations.
Why You’ll Love This
- Eye-catching presentation with minimal decorating skills required
- Make-ahead friendly – actually tastes better when made a day in advance
- Customizable colors to match any Easter theme or preference
- Incredibly moist texture thanks to the poke cake technique
- Kid-friendly recipe that the whole family will enjoy
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounce white cake mix
- 3 egg whites
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup greek yogurt
- ¾ cup whole milk
- Pink, yellow, and blue gel food coloring
- 5.1 ounces instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 ¾ cups whole milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- Easter sprinkles and/or mini eggs for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch glass baking dish and set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat cake mix, egg whites, vegetable oil, greek yogurt, and milk until smooth (about 2 minutes).
- Divide batter evenly into three bowls. Add a drop or two of pink, yellow, and blue gel food coloring to each and mix until you reach your desired pastel color.
- Drop spoonfuls of colored batter into the dish, alternating colors. Lightly swirl with a butter knife to create a marble effect, being careful not to overmix.
- Bake for 23-28 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Allow to cool completely.
- Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes across the entire cake, going about ⅔ of the way through. Gently wiggle the spoon handle to slightly widen the holes so the pudding can seep down into them.
- In a large bowl, whisk instant vanilla pudding mix and whole milk for 2 minutes until it begins to thicken.
- Immediately pour the pudding over the cake, spreading it evenly and gently pressing into the holes with a rubber spatula to help it fill them.
- Cover and refrigerate for 60-90 minutes, until the pudding is completely set.
- In a large bowl, beat heavy cream and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form (about 2 minutes).
- Spread the whipped cream evenly over the chilled cake. Sprinkle with sweetened shredded coconut, Easter sprinkles and mini eggs.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow all the flavors to meld together.
Tips & Variations
- For a more subtle look, use pastel-colored gelatin or add a little extra water to dilute the colors.
- Try using a yellow cake mix for a more “Easter egg” inspired base color.
- Add a layer of vanilla pudding between the cake and whipped topping for extra richness.
- Create a pattern with your pokes to make designs when the gelatin seeps through.
- For adults, consider adding 1-2 tablespoons of liqueur to each gelatin mixture for a grown-up twist.
- Make mini versions in cupcake form for individual servings at Easter gatherings.
Serving Suggestions
This Easter Poke Cake is perfect on its own as a colorful dessert centerpiece, but you can elevate it by serving each slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. The contrast between the cold, creamy ice cream and the moist, flavorful cake creates a delightful texture experience.
For a complete Easter dessert spread, pair this cake with chocolate nest cookies, carrot cake bites, or pastel-colored macarons to create a festive dessert table that celebrates all the colors of spring.
Notes
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- The cake actually improves in flavor and moisture after resting overnight in the refrigerator.
- For the brightest colors, add the sprinkles just before serving to prevent them from bleeding into the whipped topping.
- If your cake seems too moist after adding the gelatin, allow it to set uncovered in the refrigerator for the first hour.
FAQs
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes! This cake is actually best made 1 day ahead, allowing the gelatin to fully set and flavors to meld.
Can I use homemade cake instead of a box mix?
Absolutely. Any sturdy white or vanilla cake recipe will work, just make sure it’s not too delicate or it may fall apart when poked.
Why didn’t my gelatin create vibrant streaks in my cake?
Make sure your holes are deep enough (almost to the bottom) and wide enough to allow the gelatin to seep through. Also, the cake should still be slightly warm when adding the gelatin.
Can I freeze leftover Easter Poke Cake?
While possible, freezing isn’t recommended as the texture of the gelatin and whipped topping may change upon thawing. This cake is best enjoyed fresh within 3-4 days.
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